Electric circuit controlling device



Oct. 9, 1951 E. LANGE 2,570,567

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING DEVICE` Filed May l1, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 9, 1951 E. LANGE 2,570,567

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING` DEVICE Filed May ll, 1948 5 SheetS-Sheet 2 64 Sx` 53 F593.

I 6o' Invenfor 79 @you MSI Oct. 9, 1951 E, LANGE 2,570,567

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed May l1, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Invemor Patented Oct. 9, 1951 UNITED STATES PAT-ENT OFFICE l2,570,567 ELECTRIC 'CIRCUIT coN'rRoLL'I'NG DEVICE Emil La-nge, Paris, YFrance pp'licaton May 11, 1948, YSeria1.No.-26,316 In France May 16, 1947 15 Claims. 'l

This invention relates to electric circuit controlling devices ofthe -kind in which 'an arc is employed to produce a stream of quenching medium by causing a rise of pressure in a chamber containing quenching medium whilst circuitbreaking is in progress. Some forms of -the device according to the invention are 'particularly suitable for use as circuit-breakers, and other forms are suitable for use as switches.

One object of the invention is 'to provide an improved electric circuit controlling `devicewhich is simple, economical Ain manufacture, and etlicient in use.

Another object of the invention is to Vprovide an electric circuit controlling device in which during the action of breaking the circuit there is formed an arc producing `pressure in a chamber containing quenching medium, and Vthis pressure-producing arc is extinguished Vby short circuiting it or by-.passing it when it has 'caused a sufficient rise of pressure, and the quenching medium streams out ofthe chamber and is used to quench the second arc.

Yet another object is to provide simple means for obturating the outlet of the quenching medium chamber until a stream of quenching medium is required to quench the newly drawn second arc.

A still further object is to provide simple 'means for introducing a resistance-or an impedance or other current-resisting means into 'the circuit so as to reduce the amount of current in the second arc.

The above-mentioned-objects and further objects of the invention, and the features ofthe invention, are to be perceived by studying the following description of devices according to the invention and the following claims rin which the features of the invention are stated and claimed.

According to the liirst feature of the invention an elcctric-circuit-breaker or switch, of the,kind in which an arc is employed to produce a stream of quenching medium by causing a rise of pressure in a chamber containing quenching medium, is so arranged that during the action of breaking a circuit a pressure-reducing arc is formed and this pressure-producing arc vis extinguished by short-circuiting it or lay-passing it when it has caused a suflicient rise of pressure inthe charnber and thestream of quenching medium is `used to quench a second arc. In one convenient construction the device may be -so arranged that after the pressure-producing arc has been extinguished a new .arc is struck by the point of a switch `pin in the outlet of thepressure rchamber and simultaneously the 4outlet is :freed so that the newly struck'arc is extinguished by Vthe^quench ing medium streaming from the pressure chamber. in a modification kthe pressure-*producing are is Ystruck in one Iposition kanda second arc to be extinguished Aby the quenching medium is subsequently struck in -another position. vIn another modification a conducting lelement is mounted on but 'insulated from a movable switch pin, and whilst the circuit is closed current "ows through the said conducting element. yDuring circuit-breaking 'the `pressure-producing -arc is struck between the saidconducting element and a xed contact, and the current for the second arc flows 'through aresistance or the 4like so that the current which flows in the second arc is less than the current which ilows in the pressureproducing arc. In a third modication circuitbreaking means, which 'form and extinguish a pressure-producing arc 'and a second arc, are operatively connected to 4a knifeeswitch or the like in `series therewith vso that during circuitbreaking `the knife-'switch is automatically opened after the circuit-'breaking means breaks the circuit.

In the accompanying drawings five devices according to the invention are illustrated byway of example,

Figure 1 being adiagrammatic sectional view of one device,

Figure 2 a similar view of a second device kprovided with two sets of contacts,

Figures 3 and 4 similar views of devices provided with resistances'or `the like, and

Figures `5 and G'a'diagrammatic view anda detail `View respectively .of another'device in which a knife-switch `is `operatively connected with 'circuit-breaking means.

lower part of the switch pin `3 4comprises an insulating tube 5 inwhich is mountedaconducting point I3 electrically connected through resistance material I5 to the conducting-body of the pin 3. 'In the upper part of the chamber vI is v'a piston 1 loaded by a spring'awhich urges it'down.- wards, and the space 9 above the piston Icommunicateswith the'chamb'er "II through openings I0. The fixed'contact 2 is mounted upon ametal block 6 which is fitted with a tapered insulating tube I4 to form the outlet passage 4. The device is arranged in a circuit so that the pin 3 is electrically connected to one pole and the block 6 with the contact 2 are electrically connected to the other pole.

In circuit-breaking the device acts as follows. When circuit-breaking commences, the device is in the position shown in Figure 1 in which the pin 3 is in contact with the contact 2 and substantially closes the outlet 4. The pin 3 is moved upwards, manually or by suitable mechanical means, as rapidly as is convenient. As the body of the pin 3 withdraws from the fixed contact 2 an arc is struck between the contact 2 and the body of the pin 3 and drawn into the chamber l, which gives rise to pressure within the chamber When this pressure is sufficiently great to overcome the force of the spring 8 the piston 1 moves upwards and so the volume o the space under pressure is increased. When the insulating tube is above the contact 2 the high tension current jumps the small gap between the point I3 and the contact 2 which thus come into electrical connection with each other and a second arc is formed between the point I3 and the contact 2, lay-passing the iirst arc which is thereby extinguished. The outlet 4 is now open and the quenching medium under pressure streams out and quenches the second arc, which carries less current than the irst arc owing to the resistance material I5. The quenching of the arcs is erlicient because the rst arc is extinguished by bypassing it and the second arc is subjected to the action of an adequate quantity of quenching medium whilst it is still newly formed and small and of reduced intensity because of the resistance material l5. The insulating tube I4 ensures that an arc is not prematurely formed between the point I3 and the block 6.

The device illustrated in Figure 2 comprises a chamber 2| divided by an apertured partition 44 and a horizontal partition 45 having apertures 25 and 26. The base of the chamber 2| is formed by a base-plate 43 to which the one pole of the electric supply is connected and which carries xed contacts 22 and 23. In the base-plate 43 s formed an outlet 24. Above the chamber 2| is secured a guide plate 46 having slots 40 and 4| which guide the pivot pins 32 and 33 in a lever 34 pivotally secured by a pin 36 to the bottom of an electric supply member 35 which can slide up and down in a iixed annular supply contact 42. In the guide plate 46 are secured bolts 38 and 39 for determining the end positions of the lever 34. The pivot pin 32 secures a switch pin 21 to the lever 34. The pivot pin 33 is secured in the head 28 of a second switch pin comprising an insulating tube 29 filled with resistance material 3| and carrying a conducting tip 30. The pin 21, member 35, and pin 28 are connected to each other by a cable 31.

As shown in Figure 2, the device is in the current carrying position, the current path being from contact 42 through member 35, cable 31, pin 21, contact 22, and base-plate 43. In order to break the circuit the member 35 is moved upwards in any suitable manner. This withdraws the pin 21 from the contact 22 so that an arc is formed and produces pressure in a gaseous or other quenching medium in the chamber 2|. As the member 35 moves further upwards the tip 30 touches the contact 23 and so the are formed by pin 21 is by-passed, the current now flowing from member 35 through cable 31, pin head 28, resistance material 3|, tip 30, and contact 23 to base-plate 43. This causes the rst arc to be extinguished. As the tip 30 moves upwards from the contact 23 it forms a second arc which is of reduced strength and is immediately subjected to a stream of quenching medium passing out of the chamber 2| through the aperture 26 and outlet 24.

The device illustrated in Figure 3 comprises a mounting plate 5| on which are three pillars 52. The uppermost pillar carries a chamber 53 containing quenching medium. In the top of the chamber 53 is an annular fixed contact 55 connected to a supply terminal 56. The lower two pillars 52 carry a slotted guide plate 54 in which are fixed contacts 65 and 61. By means of terminals 66 and 68 a resistance 10 or the like is corniected between the contacts 65 and 61. An insulation plate 12 is arranged behind the resistance 10. Slidably mounted in the contacts 65 and 61 is a switch pin 60, the upper part of which is reduced and surrounded by insulation 1| and a conducting tube 64. The switch pin 60 can be moved up and down by an actuating lever 59 which acts upon a trunnion 53 guided in a slot 6| in the plate 54. The poles of an electric circuit are connected to the terminals 56 and 66.

In the position shown in Figure 3 the device is in its normal current-carrying position, the current flowing from terminal 53 through contact 55, tube 64, contact 65, and terminal 66. For circuit-breaking the pin 60 carrying the tube 64 is moved downwards, and as the top edge of the tube 64 withdraws from the contact 55 it forms an arc which "produces pressure within the chamber 53. When the tip of the pin 60 reaches the contact 55 the arc is by-passed and thereby extinguished, the current iiowng from the contact 55 through pin 60, contact 61, terminal 68, and resistance 10 to terminal 66. As the point of the pin clears the contact 55 it forms a second arc and opens the central aperture of contact 55 so that quenching medium under pressure can ow out and quench the newly formed arc.

Figure 4 shows a device generally similar to that of Figure 3, but it is inverted and the chamber 53 is lled with liquid quenching medium and is surrounded by a store chamber 18 with which it communicates by apertures 19. The chamber 18 has a terminal base plate 11 to which the iixed contact 55 is connected. The device functions in a manner similar to that of Figure 3.

Figure 5 shows a switch in which circuit-breaking means and a knife-switch for circuit-making are arranged in series with each other. The device comprises a casing 10| carrying three pillars |02, |03, and |04. The pillar |02 carries a chamber |05 having an outlet surrounded by a fixed annular contact |28 to which current is supplied through a terminal |26. The pillars |03 and |04 carry a guide pla-te |09 with a guide slot |08. The pillar |03 also carries a contact |21 to which is secured by a pivot |3| a knifeswitch blade |20 which can engage a contact |30 carried by pillar |04 and having a supply terminal |25. A switch pin |01 may be moved up and down by an actuating lever |06, being guided in the slot |08 and the bottom of the chamber |05. The lever |06 is secured to a driving shaft ||0 and is extended to carry a pivot ||3 for a push rod ||5. The driving shaft ||0 carries a cam disc with a cam lobe ||2. Mounted above the driving shaft ||0 is a secondary shaft 'ia-,sagst 5 |18 to which are secured'arms |19, |21, 'and |22; The arm I2I has `anabutment i|34 for 'engage'- ment by'the push rod |15. The-arm |22 iscoi-rnected by a spring H11 to 4the pivot 113. Asstop |23 is arranged to limit movement 4of the larm |22. Also secured to vthe-secondaryshaft-|-|-8 is a notched disc |11 kwhich can be locked Iby va spring-'loaded pawl 'Ht which isoperated by the cam lobe H2. The arm 'H9 is connected vby a link 12d to the Aknife-switchblade `2. An insulating tube il is secured Anear the top of the switch pin |'i.

`Figure shows the normal current carrying position of the device. Current `'enters through the supply `terminal land passes through-contact -|3, blade `|2l,fcontact |"2'|,-pin 4|01, contact |28 and terminal |26. `In 'order to break the circuit the `driving vshaft -|'I 0 -is rotated manual-1y or byany other suitable means so Ythat the-actuating'lever hlt moves the pinlil'l'downwards. As the pin |67 moves downwards-andthelower edge of the insulating tube rlili passes -the lower'edge of thecontact t28 anarc is formed-and produces pressure within the chamber |05. After some lost motion `the push rod I l5 engages 'the abuti ment lSl and rotates the secondary shaft H8 so that through the arm lH9 and the link |24 the blade |29 is Ymoved to theopen'position ind-icated by dotted linesgbutbeforethe knife-switch is opened by movement of the blade |29 the -point of the pin lill has passed below the vvcontact |128 and in'doing so has short-circuited the -vrst'arc and has formed a second arc which has been quenched by quenching medium owing through the vaperture Vof the contact |28. In'this way the circuit is broken and-the arc quenched before the knife-switch is opened. Theposition of the mechanismwhen the knife-switch is open is-indicated in Figure 6, from which'it will ^be seen that the disc l il is locked by the pawl H6 Vso that the secondary shaftr ||`8- cannot rotate under the action of the tension-spring k| I4. For circuitmaking the driving shaft Hl is-rotated so that the lever |06 raises the pin |01. When the Vpin |01 has contacted thecontact |28 the cam-lobe ||2 actuates the pawl 'l i6 thereby releasing ithe shaft i8 which rotatesrapidlyunder the y-action of the spring 4lili so that through thearm ||-9 and the link |24 the knife-switch blade |2'0is returned to its closed-position with great speed. f

The mechanism thus returns yto the position shown in Figure 5. From the above-description it will be appreciated that the circuit -is-broken by the pin lill leaving the contact |28, whereas the circuit is made by the closing'of theknifeswitch.

Various modifications can be introduced wit-hout departing from the invention. Forexample a spring-loaded piston or the like may be omitted from a device like that shown in Figure 1 or included in devices like those shown in the other figures. Instead of a resistance an impedance or other current resisting means maybe used in accordance with the nature of the current for lowering the energy of the second arc. *Devices according to the invention may befadapted to make use of gaseous or liquid quenching media or materials which form gases when subjected to the heat of an arc.

What I claim is:

l. An electric circuit controlling device comprising a chamber capable of containing quenching medium and having an outlet, ra first fixed contact adjacent to said outlet, arnovabl'es'witch lpin capable of 'projecting 'through and lthereby bbturating said outlet and of contacting said first hxed jcontact, a conducting member insulatedly ymounted on said switch pin and capable of contacting said Vrst fixed contact, a second xed contact contacting said conducting member, a third fixed contact contacting said switch pin, and electric current resisting means connected between said second and third fixed contacts, the arrangement being such that during circuitbreaking said conducting member withdraws from Jsaid lirst fixed contact thereby forming a -irstarc producing pressure within said chamber, then said switchpin contacts 4said first fixed contact thereby completing a current path from said second fixed contact through said current resisting means to said third vfixed contact, thence through said switch pin to said rst fixed contact, then said switch pin withdraws from said first fixed contact and from said outlet thereby opening said outlet and forming a second arc in the path of quenching medium leaving said chamber 'through said outlet.

2. A device as claimed in claim l, comprising also a quenching medium container in communication with and capable of supplying quenching medium to and receiving quenching medium from said chamber.

3. An electric circuit controlling device comprising in combination a quenching medium receptacle having an outlet, a xed contact adjacent to said outlet, a partly insulated movable switch pin capable of projecting through and thereby obturating said outlet and of contacting said 'fixed contact, an actuating lever connected to and capable of actuating said switch pin, a driving shaft carrying said actuating lever, and knife-switch means in series with said switch pin and operatively connected with said driving shaft, the arrangement being such that during circuit-breaking said switch pin draws from said xed contact a first arc producing pressure within said receptacle, said switch pin then contacts said xed contact thereby by-passing said first arc, said switch pin then withdraws from said xed contact and from said receptacle outlet thereby drawing a second arc in the path of quenching medium leaving said receptacle, said second arc is quenched, and said knife switch means is then Opened.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, the arrangement being such that during circuit-making said switch pin returns to a current-carrying position and thereafter said knife-switch means is closed.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3, comprising' a secondary shaft mounted for control by said driving'shaft a push-rod capable of transmitting motion in one direction to said secondary shaft vfrom said driving shaft and of permitting motion.

of said driving shaft in opposite direction without moving said secondary shaft, a detent mechanism operated by said driving shaft and capable. of holding said secondary shaft in a position of rest, and resilient means acting on said secondary shaft and tending to move said secondary shaft in a direction opposite to that of the motion transmitted to rsaid secondary shaft by said pushrod.

v6. An electric circuit-breaker comprising a quenching-medium receptacle having an outlet,

a stationary contact member adjacent to said outlet, a movable contact member partly of insulating material and capable of entering and thereby obturating said outlet and of sliding in contact with said stationary contact member, all

'in combination whereby during circuit-breaking said movable contact member whilst obturating said outlet draws a first arc producing pressure within said receptacle, then comes into electrical connection with said stationary contact member and thereby by-passes said first arc, then withdraws from said outlet and said stationary contact thereby drawing a second arc in the path of quenching medium leaving said receptacle through said outlet.

7. An electric circuit-breaker comprising a quenching-medium receptacle having an outlet, a stationary contact close to said outlet, a movable Contact consisting of a conducting body and a conducting tip secured by insulation to said body and electrically connected through resistance material to said body, a loaded piston within said receptacle and dividing said receptacle into two compartments, and a quenching medium storage vessel in communication with both of said compartments, said movable contact moving during circuit-breaking to form between said body and said stationary contact a iirst arc producing pressure in said receptacle between said piston and said outlet and to by-pass said iirst arc by forming a second arc between said tip and said stationary contact and in the path of quenching medium leaving said receptacle through said outlet.

8. An electric switch comprising a quenchingmedium receptacle having an outlet, a stationary contact at said outlet, and a movable contact which can pass partly through and thereby obstruct said outlet and can slide in contact with and withdraw from said stationary contact and can withdraw from said outlet, and an insulating shield on said movable contact whereby electrical Contact between said movable contact and said stationary contact is interrupted during part of the movement of said movable contact whereby as said movable contact moves during circuitbreaking a first arc producing pressure in said receptacle is drawn between said movable contact and said stationary contact while said movable Contact obstructs said outlet, and later said rst arc is by-passed when said movable contact comes into electrical connection with said stationary contact, and still later said movable contact withdraws from said stationary contact and said outlet whereby said outlet is cleared and a second arc is drawn out in the path of quenching medium leaving said receptacle through said outlet.

9. In an electric circuit controlling device the combination comprising a quenching-medium receptacle having an outlet, a substantially annular stationary contact defining part of the path of quenching medium passing out through said outlet, and a movable contact member capable of obstructing said outlet and contacting said stationary contact and of drawing from said stationary contact during circuit-breaking an arc producing pressure in said receptacle and of bypassing said arc by coming into electrical connection with said stationary contact and of clearing said outlet and drawing from said stationary contact a second arc in the path of quenching 6 medium passing out through said outlet.

10. An electric circuit controlling device cornprising in combination a chamber capable of containing quenching medium and having an outlet, means for forming during circuit-breaking a first arc producing pressure within said chamber, at least one fixed contact, at least one movable conductor capable of coming into electrical connection with said iixed contact and thereby bypassing and so extinguishing said first arc after it has produced pressure within said chamber, and circuit-breaking means forming after the by-passing of said first arc a second arc in the path of quenching medium passing out of said chamber through said outlet.

11. An electric circuit controlling device comprising in combination a chamber capable of con taining quenching medium and having an outlet, a fixed contact adjacent to said outlet, a movable compound pin capable of projecting through said outlet, means in mechanical connection with said movable compound pin for forming during circuit breaking a iirst arc producing pressure within said chamber, said compound pin having a conducting portion which comes into electrical connection with said iixed contact and thereby bypasses said first arc after it has produced pressure within said chamber and then withdraws from said iiXed contact drawing out a second arc in the path of quenching medium passing out of said chamber through said outlet.

12. An electric circuit controlling device comprising in combination a chamber capable of containing quenching medium and having an outlet, a iixed contact adjacent to said outlet, a movable compound pin capable of projecting through said outlet, separable contactors drawing out during circuitl breaking a first arc which produces pressure within said chamber', an insulating sleeve on said compound pin permitting said compound pin to make an initial movement without coming into electrical connection with said fixed Contact, and a conducting tip on said compound pin which comes into electrical connection with said iixed contact and thereby by-passes said iirst arc after it has produced pressure within said chamber and then withdraws from said iixed contact drawing out a second arc in the path of quenching medium passing out of said chamber through said outlet.

13. An electric circuit controlling device comprising a chamber capable of containing quenching medium and having an outlet, a first fixed contact within said chamber, a iirst switch pin having an end movable within said chamber and capable of contacting and withdrawing from said iirst fixed contact, a second fixed contact adjacent to said outlet, a second switch pin capable of contacting and withdrawing from said second fixed contact, said second switch pin consisting of a body, an insulating sleeve secured to said body, a switch pin point mounted in said sleeve, and resistance material electrically connecting said point to said body, mechanical means connected to and co-ordinating movements of said switch pins, and circuit means connected to said switch pins and contacts, the arrangement being such that during circuit-breaking said iirst switch pin forms a first arc producing pressure within said chamber, then said point of said second switch pin comes into electrical connection with said second iixed contact thereby by-passing said first arc, and then said switch pin point withdraws from said second xed contact thereby forming a second arc in series with said resistance material in the path of quenching medium leaving said chamber through said outlet.

14. An electric circuit controlling device comprising in combination a chamber capable of containing quenching medium and having an outlet, a iixed contact adjacent to said outlet, a movable compound pin capable of projecting through said outlet, separable contactors drawing out during circuit breaking a first arc which produces pressure Within said chamber, an insulating sleeve on said compound pin permitting said compound pin to make an initial movement without coming into electrical connection with said xed Contact, and a conducting tip on said compound pin which comes into electrical connection with said fixed contact and thereby by-passes said rst arc after it has produced pressure within said chamber and then withdraws from said xed contact drawing out a second arc in the path of quenching medium passing out of said chamber through said outlet, and switch means in series with said compound pin and operatively connected with said compound pin whereby said switch means is automatically opened after said compound pin has operated for breaking a circuit.

15. An electric circuit controlling device as 10 claimed in claim 14, said movable compound pin and said switch means being so operatively connected that said switch means is automatically closed after said movable compound pin has returned to a current-carrying position.

EMIL LANGE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,222,719 Prince Nov. 26. 1940 2,387,589 Kesselring Oct. 23, 1945 

